226 - FUJII SHUMEI: A LARGE 'TIDAL WAVES' CARVED WHITE PORCELAIN VASE

FUJII SHUMEI: A LARGE 'TIDAL WAVES' CARVED WHITE PORCELAIN VASE By Fujii Shumei (1936-2017), signed Shumei Japan, 20 th century Superbly potted, the globular body rising through gently sloping shoulders to a subtly tapered neck with a circular mouth. The exterior meticulously carved with overlapping registers of concentric, sweeping arcs, evoking rippling waves and tidal currents. The finely articulated ridges and recessed channels create a rhythmic interplay of light and shadow beneath the luminous bluish-white glaze, which stops short of the foot to reveal the white porcelain body. The underside signed SHUMEI. HEIGHT 29.8 cm Condition: Excellent condition. With the original wood tomobako (storage box), inscribed by the artist Hakuji hori tsubo [Carved white porcelain vase] and Togei Nitten kaiyu [Associate member of Nitten, ceramics], signed and sealed Shumei, accompanied by leaflets documenting his artistic lineage and achievements up to Showa 63 (1988). Fujii Shumei (1936-2017) was a celebrated ceramic artist born in Arita, Saga Prefecture, the historic center of Japanese porcelain production. Beginning his career in local pottery workshops at the age of fifteen, he established his own kiln, Shumeigama, in 1974. His work is distinguished by its refined porcelain forms, exceptional precision of surface decoration, and close engagement with the natural world. Among his characteristic techniques is shio-bori, or tide carving, in which meticulously repeated incisions evoke the rhythmic movement of water, as beautifully exemplified by the present vase. Fujii is equally renowned for his distinctive leaf-imprinting technique, using the delicate veins of leaves to suggest mountainous landscapes inspired by his native Arita. First selected for the prestigious Nitten exhibition in 1962, he went on to receive numerous distinctions, including the Japan New Crafts Award in 1981 and the Saga Cultural Achievement Award in 1994.